Unidentified caterpillar

[Nat]

Hi, i'm very new to this so please bear with me. I discovered this caterpillar on my doormat about to become a snack for next doors cat. I saved him but have never seen a caterpillar like it, or one that could move as fast. Please can u have a look at the pic and help to identify.

Thanks

[Wild-Woman]

Hi Nat. Welcome to WAB. Nice to have you onboard.

Well-I could be wrong, so always get opinions backed up, but I think you may have a caterpillar from the Humming-bird Hawk Moth which are amazing moths. If you have a look in the WAB Gallery there are plenty to see.
Their food plants are hedge bedstraw,lady's bedstraw, wild madder. So it would be happierbeing put back on that if you have some in the garden.

Lucky you. What a find.

[Wild-Woman]

Ps. If confirmed, would you consider your picture of the caterpillar being put in the WAB Gallery so it can be used for id? And it's a great picture too!! WW

[Lance Morgan]

Sorry this is not a Hummer. It is a lime hawk m tiliae looking for somewhere to pupate.

[jimfoxy]

I'd go with Lime or Eyed Hawk-moth.

For info, the big spike on the tail end of the larva is the main characteristic for Hawk-moths (Sphingidae).

Most of the larvae of hawks are green but go a purple colour in the last few days when trying to find somewhere to pupate as Lance mentions (the spike can also change colour). Leaf litter or soil is usually used. If you still have this caterpillar, you could put it in a box with some leafmould (or dead leaf/soil mix) and see what it turns into! You may have to wait until next May, though.

When looking for somewhere to pupate, they wander from their foodplant which is why it is often at this stage in their life you see them. Interestingly, they also often change their reactions to being touched or handled. Usually reasonably passive throughout the green stages of the larva, when purple and disturbed or touched, they flick their bodies quickly in quite a distressed manner.

A lovely find!

[Nat]

Thanks for the amazing responses. The caterpillar did flick it's body as the cat sniffed at it. I got rid of the cat and snapped the picture. I then thought it best to let it go on it's way. It was wonderful to watch and i was suprised how quickly it moved. I'll check the suggestions for id. I'd be more than happy for it to enter the Gallery if we can confirm.

[Nat]

Think we can confirm it is a Lime Hawk Moth (Mimas tiliae) caterpillar

Usually green, with diagonal yellow stripes on each side, but
becomes brownish (as illustrated) just before pupating; feeds
on the leaves of lime, elm, birch and other deciduous trees.
Any more info any one can add would be great
Thanks

[jimfoxy]

I wouldn't be too quick to rule out Eyed unless you've found a pre-pupation photo to compare.

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by jimfoxy

I wouldn't be too quick to rule out Eyed unless you've found a pre-pupation photo to compare.

Smaller head on the lime is the clincher.

[jimfoxy]

Thanks Lance!